Supporting structure of beverage filling machines



Nov. 7, 1944. R. J. STEWART 2,362,

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF BEVERAGE FILLING MACHINES Filed .Aug. 12, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 NOV. 7, 11944. R SIEWAFRT 2,362,167

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SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF BEVERAGE FILLING MACHINES Filed Aug. 12, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet s Nov. 7, 1944. R. J. STEWART 2,362,167

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF BEVERAGE FILLING MACHINES Filed Aug. 12, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 g Q 67 O I W gin 0W: '66

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SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF BEVERAGE FILLING MACHINES Filed Aug. 12, 1941 Patented Nov. 7, 1944 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF BEVERAGE FILLING MACHINES Robert J. Stewart, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimor Md., a corporation of New York Application August 12, 1941, Serial No. 406,558

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to supporting structures of beverage filling machines.

Machines for filling containers with carbonated beverages, including beer, ordinarily comprise a base to'which a stationary table is fixed and a rotary filling structure mounted for rotation onthe base. The rotary filling structure includes a hollow central shaft and journal structure which supports a filling table spaced above the stationary base and the central journal also supports a superstructure which carries the filling heads and a central liquid reservoir. The superstructure is positioned some distance above the filling table. Containers to be filled are moved from the stationary table to container supporting platforms which are vertically reciprocable in the filling table so that they will force a container upwardly against a filling head on the superstructure so that fiow may occur from the reservoir to the container.

It is most important that the mouth of each container be held firmly sealed against the corresponding filling head in order that proper filling may be accomplished and the platform lifting means is, therefore, moved upwardly with considerable force or pressure. Forthis reason, the

superstructure, comprising the filling reservoir and the associated filling heads, must be firmly held against lifting movement. However, it is not practicable to so construct a filling machine that the superstructure will be permanently and rigidly secured to the filling table, since the superstructure must be vertically adjustable with respect to the filling table in order to permit various sizes of containers to be handled upon the machine.

It has been found that the upward movement of containers against the filling head tends to lift the superstructure or at least tilt it with respect to the filling table. The tendency toward exerts a bodily lifting action upon the supertilting occurs byreason of the fact that as the filling structure rotates, the container supporting platform are lowered so that containers may be removed therefrom and empty containers placed upon the platforms. Thus, throughout a continually changing portionof the superstructure, i. e., the portion which is moving past the stationary table, no upward pressure is exerted upon the superstructure while at the same instant upward pressure is being exerted upon the remainder of the superstructure by the raised containers.

It will be observed that the pressure discussed above as exerted upwardly against the superstructure is also simultaneously exerted downwardly structure.

The present construction includes telescopic rigid elements, for example, screw jacks, extending between the filling table and the superstructure and positioned at points radially spaced from the axis of the filling structure. This arrangement insures that the superstructure may be readily adjusted with respect'to the filling table by a positive raising or lowering action, and further insures that the superstructure will be securely held against tilting or bodily lifting with respect to the filling table.

Most types of beverage filling machines have the superstructure and filling table connected by centrally positioned telescoping shafts so connected that the superstructure can readily be raised, the telescopic connection being such that rotary driving movement will be imparted to the superstructure from the filling table. Furthermore, the vertical adjustment is obtained either by rotating the superstructure with respect to the fillin table to take advantage of a threaded connection between the two, or by rotating a threaded element about the lower portion of the shaft to vertically move the superstructure.

The above arrangements are not of optimum efficiency because the superstructure is only connected to the filling table at a central point, and tilting of the superstructure therefore cannot be entirely eliminated,' particularly with a superstructure of large diameter. Because the superstructure is usually only held in the desired vertical position by a frictional locking means, which an operator may fail to secure, bodily lifting of the filling table by gas pressure alone can also occur.

It has been heretofore proposed, in non-bev erage fillers, to support containers or reservoirs above filling tables at spaced points, but in such installations the reservoirs have simply been tanks of small diameter at a minimum distance above the filling table, the principal reason for spacing the supports being to provide a plurality of posts to carry the load of the. material in the reservoir.

In a large beverage filler, 0n the other hand,

the superstructure may have a diameter of from five to ten feet, which must be mounted about two feet above the filling table on a central shaft having a diameter of about eight inches. It will therefore be understood that the problem in large beverage fillers is not so much to simply support weight as to support a body of large area at a substantial height in such a way that it cannot tilt and cannot be lifted by gas pressure.

It has also been proposed to brace the super-.- structure to a filling table at points radially spaced from the vertical axis of the filling structure by means of non-rigid elements, but these arrangements have not obviatedall difliculties; are extremely involved from a mechanical standpoint, and require careful operation to prevent straining the superstructure. Furthermore, such prior arrangements have ordinarily involved impartin rotational movement from the filling table to the superstructure through the connecting means. In View of the fact that the connecting means are usually spaced radially some distance from the Vertical axis of the filling structure, a twisting moment can readily occur with these prior arrangements, particularly if the machine is of a high speed type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superstructure support for beverage filling machines which is of such construction that the superstructure will be positively rotated from the filling table without twisting or other play between the two, and which is of simple design.

A still further object of the invention is to have the supporting arrangement of such design that the supporting elements can be operated simultaneousl and readily to move the superstructure vertically with respect to the filling table so as to enable containers of different sizes to be handled.

The arrangement described in the preceding paragraph is highly desirable in that it eliminates the tilting strains which occur if the connecting elements are individually operable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatically operable locking device for the adjusting mechanism.

By the locking arrangement just described, it will not be possible for relative movement to oc. cur, as may be the case with prior machines wherein the operator must finally set a locking device.

A further important object of the invention is to provide means to maintain a filling table against tilting action. By combining such an arrangement with bracing means between the filling table andsuperstructure, the latter can be more securely held against tilting.

As has been stated above, filling tables are supported upon the central hollow shaft of rotary filling structure at some distance above the base of the machine. The filling table, like the superstructure, may have a diameter of from five to ten feet and it is provided at its rim with fairly heavy bottle supporting platforms and guides or cylinders vertically movable through a distance of approximately eighteen inches to lift containers to the filling heads. Thus the filling table is always having downward pressure exerted upon continually changing portions of its edge by the forces holding the bottlesv in contact with the filling heads. In addition, the vertical shifting of the filling platforms exerts some force toward giving the filling table a tilting movement.

The present invention contemplates providing vertical bracing elements upon the machine base which engag the edge portion of the under surface of the filling table to prevent the latter from tilting. The bracing elements are circumferentially spaced with respect to the filling table and preferably'comprise standards having rollers journalled in their upper ends to engage a circular track on the lower surface of the filling table.

By the arrangement just described, the filling table will be held against all tilting and its central portion need not be so heavily braced with respect to its central vertical shaft portion and the journal for the latter. In addition, by using this construction with the previously described brace or securing means between the filling table and superstructure, the superstructure will be braced 0r secured directly from the base of the machine, rather than from the filling table alone. Such an arrangement is particularly desirable with filling structures of large diameter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of the lling structure of a filling machine, the filling reservoir being in horizontal section and the cover late of the filling reservoir skirt being removed;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View on the line Z2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3' is an enlarged view showing a portion of the Figure 2 structure, with parts in vertical section;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on-the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 8-45 of Figure l; and

Figure '7 is a perspective view showing the filling table supporting structure.

Referring to Figure 2, the numeral l5 designates the filling table of a beverage filling machine, which table is supported in the usual fashion upon a hollow shaft ll journaled for rotary movement upon an upstanding central hollow journal 8. fixed to the base 9 shown in Figure '7. Journal 8 surrounds a stationary vertically extending pipe l2 which delivers a liquid such as carbonated water or beer to the reservoir 13 of the filling machine. Reservoir i3 is supported upon a circular casting M including a fiat skirt portion 55 substantially coextensive in diameter with the filling table It]. At its central portion, casting M includes a depending cylindrical skirt it which is braced by webs H and bears upon a sleeve l3 which surrounds the upper portion of the hollow shaft If.

Sleeve It includes a vertical recess is in which a key 2!]- is mounted, the key engaging a key-way ii in hollow shaft H so that the sleeve 18, and thereby the casting I l and reservoir l3, will rotate with the hollow shaft. Key 28 is secured to a pin 22 mounted in a collar 23 threaded in sleeve l8. A head 24 at the outer end of the pin is engaged by the outer end of collar 23 and the inner end of the collar bears on key 2.). It will be noted from Figure 2 that the recess Iii is of insufficient depth radially of sleeve 18 to permit ke 28 to be drawn entirely from key-way 2!. Thus key 20 can be disengaged from locking frictional contact with shaft H to permit sleeve is to be moved vertically by outward threaded movement of collar 23' but key 20 cannot be entirely withdrawn from key-way 2|. Inward threading locked in position by locking nut 23a. I

The liquidsupply pipe I2 extends into the reservoir I3 through a packed joint slidable upon the pipeduring any vertical movement of the reservoir and casting I4.

As is usual with beverage filling machines, the casting I4 supports on its periphery a number of filling heads corresponding in number to the bottle supporting platforms 26 which are mounted in the peripheral portion of the filling table II] for vertical reciprocation to lift containers to a sealed position with respect to the filling heads. Each filling head 25 has a liquid tube 2'! extending from its-inner portion to the extreme lower portion of the filling reservoir I3 and a counterpressure gas or air passage 28 extends from each fillinghead to the upper portion of the filling reservoir I3. This structure comprises the reservoir and filling head assembly or superstructure. The lifting of containers to sealed position against the filling heads exerts an upward pressure upon the superstructure and a simultaneous downward pressure upon the filling table, the pressure being entirely at the peripheries of both elements, but never being exerted throughout the entire periphery because'some container plat forms will always be lowered to receive containers, as is the usual practice. Thearea not under vertical pressure is constantly changing as the filling structure rotates, which increases the tendency'toward tilting.

In order that the filling heads 25 maybe verr plished by means of jacks generally designated by the numeral 30 extending between the'filling table II] and the casting I 4. As best shown in Figure 1, three such jacks are preferably provided, they being spaceda substantial distance from the axis or vertical centerline of the table I0 and reservoir I3. I

Each jack comprises a sleeve 3| fixed to, the table I0 and having its bore threaded as indicated at 32 to receive a threaded shaft 33 which operating crankor handle which can be fitted uponthe portion 41 after removal of a cap 48 removably held in any suitable manner in an aperture formed in the cover plate Ha. I

In order that shaft will be held against rotation, a collar 50 is slidably mounted thereon, the collar having a square aperture which fitsthe squared portion 41 of shaft 45 so that the collar will be locked against rotation with respect to the shaft. Collar 50 includes a'flange 52 having one or more pins 53 extending outwardly therefrom and a spring 54 in contact with a shoulder 55on shaft-45 holds the collar 50 in the position illustrated in Figure 3 so that pin 53 will engage one of a series of apertures 56 formed in a housing 58 fixed to the bracket 46. Obviously, when a crank handle is applied to the squared portion 41 of shaft 45, collar 50 can b moved inwardly or to the right in Figure 3 so'as to release the pin 53 from the position there illustrated and shaft 45 can then be rotated as desired to drive the three threaded shafts 33.

As best shown in Figure 1, the sprocket chain moves above strips or plates 53 suitably fixed upon blocks, not shown, provided on the upper surface of the skirt I4, the blocks being of sufficient height that the strips will be above the series of tubes 21 and 28 which connect th reservoir I3 with the filling heads 25. The sprocket is journaled in a hollow boss formed in the skirt I4. A tubular sleeve 35 preferably extends downwardly from the skirt I4 and encases the upper portion of the fixed. sleeve 3I to surround the threaded'shaft 33.

As best shown in Figure 1, each threaded shaft vided with a gear mechanism generally designated by the numeral 40 and best shown in Figures 2 and 3 to enable-the sprocket chain to be driven by an operator so that the three sprockets can be simultaneously rotated to thereby rotate the threaded shafts 33. In detail, the mechanism comprises a sprocket wheel 4I including a sleeved hub 42 provided on two of the threaded shafts 33, as shown in Figure 5. The third shaft 33 (Figure 2) also carries a sprocket wheel M at its upper end and with a beveled pinion 43 fixed thereto. 44 fixed to a horizontal shaft 45 extending radially of the skirt I4 and journaled in a bracket 46 v secured to the upper surface of skirt I 4.

As best shown in Figure 3, shaft 45 is squared at its outer end as indicated at 41 to receive an Pinion 43 is engaged by a beveled gear,

chain'is'thus prevented from coming in contact with the tubes 21 and 28. As is also shown in Figure 1, it is necessary to slightly ofiset portions of the tubes 21 and 28 which are adjacent the sprocket wheels 30.

In order that the sprocket chain may be maintained at the proper tension, a take-up device generally designated by the numeral 60 is provided, the detail structure of this device being best shown in Figure 7. Referring to Figure '7, the take-up device 60 comprises a stub shaft BI journaled in a flanged collar 62 which extends through an aperture 63 in the skirt I4, the collar bein se'cured to the skirt by bolts such as indicated at 64 and extending through a flange 65 at the lower end of the collar. In addition, flange 65 has a pin 66 threaded therein, which pin extends through an arcuate slot 61 formed in the inner portion of a lever 68 keyed to the shaft 6|. Pin 66 carries a nut at its lower end to enable the lever 68 to be locked in any adjusted position with respect to the pin.

At its upper end the stub shaft 6| carries a radially extending bracket I0 having a small sprocket'II journaled thereon and which sprocket is adapted to bear upon and engage the sprocket chain. It will be obvious that the sprocket chain can thereby be held under the proper tension to enable the sprocket wheels M to be accurately simultaneously rotated.

In the operation of the above mechanism, if itis desired to raise or lower the skirt I4, reservoir l3, and filling heads 25 with respect to the filling table I0, it is only necessary to slightly withdraw the key 20 from close engagement with sleeve I8 of hollow shaft II so as to prevent any frictional drag against Vertical movement at this point. Then an operating handle can be applied to the squared portion 41 of shaft 45 to rotate that shaft and, through the beveled gearing shown in Figure 3, simultaneously rotate the sprocket wheels 4| by the sprocket chain. This will cause the threaded shafts 33 to be rotated with respect to their respective sleeves 3| so that the desired raising or lowering can be accomplished.

The threaded connection between the shafts 33 and sleeves 31 is sufliciently close that there will 'be no play between theseelements and rcckingor tilting of the skirt J4 and the structures fixed thereto with respect to the filling table -10 will thereby .he prevented. Also, the provision of the threaded jack structures will prevent the skirt 1-4 from "being lifted with respect to the table 10 by pressure of gas within the reservoir l-3 'thereby assuring that all containers will 'be properly pcsitioned with respect to the filling heads,

.In addition, the -connection between the threaded shafts Y33 and sleeves BI is sumciently close that, with the =tight erigagen'ient of key 20 with central shaft 1 I, rotary movement will :be imparted 'to the superstructure without possibility of any twisting moment.

It will also benoted thata rigidly acting con.- .necticn between the :filling table and -superstruc- :ture is,pr-ovided at spaced points in th-ateach jack acts to positively liitand lower the adjacent *portion of the superstructure.

Referring to :Figure .2, it {will beobserved that :thefilling table I0 has a-circular trackor wear ,plate 80 fixedto its under surf-ace near .its edge .andthatthis trackrbears upon'rollers v8 i ,jou-rnaled in the upper ends of standards r82 .fixed to the baseii. Theilewerportionsof the rollers .8! pretierably move in clips-83 formed integral with the standards 52, the cups containing oil or grease which will .be-appl-ied to thesurfacesoi thEZ'I'OH-CIS toiubricate the track or wear plate 80.

*By-the arrangement shown in Figure .7, afilling table of even exceptionally large diameter canybe securely held againstall tilt ng and'with amuch lighter centrai or journal-engaging portion ithan .isnow provided with-smaller machines. In addit-ion, when the Figure fistnucture is used with the above-described means for-bracing .and securing :the superstructure, thersuperstructure cannct i zt either withrrespect to the lease ,9 or the filling ,ta-ble ill because .a rigidzstructure'is, in err-este mvided betweenthe bese and the superstructure.

Therefore, the Figure 57structure,:zbypreventing -.-.ti1ting .ofvthe filling table, turther prevents-tilting .of-thesuperstructure.

Provision iagainstitilting and twisting of the superstructure is particularly important. in present day -Large.:oapacity;fll1ing machines-Which may include asuperstructure, i.-:e..,,.a*skir,t M, wit-hits reservoir and filling heads, which istfrom five \to ted-feet in diameter and with a sulostantialzportion of its weight atiits,peripheryduetoxthe weightof the fillingheads. With a ssupcrstmlo- .ture of such diameter, theiacks ?WQu1d-ib.effPOSi-' Ltioned approximatelyitwo :thirdsofi. the radiaLdis- .tance to itheperiphery, therebygiving:support.at

points .closeto the periphery.

Also, since the filling table is essentially intended to s lPPort the superstructure against tilting by use of t jack 3 ,1 is highly d i e to, in turn, brace the filling table against tilting and to enable its central journal engaging structure to be of less weight.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims.

I claim:

1. a supporting structure for a machine in- ,cluding :a vbase, a vertical and rotatable shaft projecting upwardly from the base, and a pair of elements of relatively large diameter mounted n the shaft in su er osed relation, means t a .iustthe "vertical position of the upper element with respect to the lower of said two elements and to prevent the upper element from being tilted, said means comprising a plurality of threaded jflQkS-fiOIllflGCtlllg saidelements and circumferentially spaced about said shaft at a sub.- stantial distance radially from the latter, and centrally Positioned releasable means to secure saidupper element in a rigid driving relation to saidlowwer element.

.2. In .asupporting structure for a machine ineluding a base, a vertical and rotatable shaft projecting upwardly from the base, and a pair ofv elements of relatively large diameter mounted -ontheshaft .insuperposed relation, means to adjust the vertical position of the upper element with respect ,to the lower of said two elements and to prevent the upper element from being tilted, said means com-pri n a .Plu al ty of h e d d Jacks connecting sa d elem ts and ir mfer- .iectin upwardly from the base. and ,a pair of .el ments of .relat r ly lar am te m u t d on the shaft in superposed relation,,,means to ad- Just the Merticalpositionoi the noper element with respecttothelower of said .two elements and .to .pr vent the upper element from being t d,

said .mean compr sing a ,i lu a ity ,of t e de Jacks connecting: said elem ts and ci u .tially' spaced about .-s ;d shaft at a su s a a distance radially from the latt m a to s multaneously rotate said jacks, and neansto lock .,said lafitenamed means a ainst fmi lcment.

.RQBEBT STEWART. 

